Maternal GABAergic and GnRH/corazonin pathway modulates egg diapause phenotype of the silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>
Ryoma Tsuchiya, Aino Kaneshima, Masakazu Kobayashi, Maki Yamazaki, Yoko Takasu, Hideki Sezutsu, Yoshiaki Tanaka, Akira Mizoguchi, Kunihiro Shiomi
Abstract
Significance Diapause is a common response to seasonal changes in environmental conditions found in many species of insects, as well as other animals, but we do not yet fully understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this important physiological switch. Although there has been previous research on diapause, there remain questions regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying diapause determination in response to environmental signals. Our research highlighted the presence of a GABAergic and corazonin signaling system that induces progeny diapause through diapause hormone release. Our findings also indicate that the expression of the plasma membrane GABA transporter is temperature-dependent and may modulate diapause hormone release. Our findings provide insights into these mechanisms in silkworms and will provide an important reference for future research.